1730 Park Street, Suite 202, Naperville, IL 60563

Phone: 630-420-1000

Annulment in Illinois – Making the Split About More Than Just Divorce

In Illinois, an annulment is called a "declaration of invalidity of marriage". It is a court order declaring that a marriage is not valid, and should not be recognized by the state. An annulment is different from a divorce because a divorce is a legal declaration that a valid marriage is over.

In Illinois there are five reasons for a marriage annulment. The grounds declaring a marriage invalid specified under Illinois law (and the time limits by which a case must be filed) are:

- Coercion or duress (the classic "shotgun wedding"). Within 90 days of learning of the condition

- Mental incapacity (either due to mental deficiencies or the influence of alcohol or drugs). Within 90 days of learning of the condition.

- Fraud. Under Illinois' annulment law, the term "fraud" refers to a fraud involving "the essentials of the marriage." That generally means the ability to have kids and has nothing to do with representations as to wealth or social standing. Within 90 days of learning of the condition.

- Physical incapacity to consummate the marriage by sexual intercourse (and the condition must have existed at the time of the marriage the other spouse must not have been aware of this condition). Within one year of learning of the condition.

- One party was 16 or 17 and did not have parental (or a guardian's) consent nor judicial approval. Prior to the minor's 18th birthday.

- The marriage is otherwise prohibited (parents marrying children, aunts marrying nephews, same-sex marriages, etc.). At any time or, by a child of either party within 3 years of the death of the first party to die.

A petition for declaration of invalidity for a void marriage may be filed by either party, the legal spouse in case of a bigamous marriage, the State's Attorney, or after the death of one of the parties, a child of either party, at any time not to exceed 3 years following the death of the first party to die.

Let us start helping you with a FREE initial consultation.

You do not have JavaScript enabled. Good luck with that.

NOTE: Fields with a * indicate a required field.

*

*

*

One Stop For All Your Legal Needs

Whether you are going through a divorce, injured in an accident, need to file a workers' compensation claim, charged with a crime, immigrating to the United States, or need to file for bankruptcy, Mevorah Law Offices LLC can help. Our trial lawyers have over 40 years of experience helping clients throughout Northern Illinois from four offices in Lombard, Bloomindale, Naperville, St. Charles, and Chicago.

Steven Mevorah has assembled experienced attorneys under one roof so that his clients need not search for a new attorney each time they need help. Mr. Mevorah has also established a wide network of additional attorneys so that his clients merely need to stop by Mevorah Law Offices LLC to find the attorney they need.

Client Focused Representation

Our practice is focused on meeting your needs with flexible hours and locations to serve you: